KALAMAZOO — Founder of the nation’s first doctoral program in African-American studies, Temple University Professor Molefi Kete Asante, will speak from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Western Michigan University’s Bernhard Center, Room 157.

Asante’s topic is “African American History in the Age of Obama” and his appearance is in observance of Black history month.

Asante is known for his series of books on “Afrocentricity” and has also written 70 books on a wide variety of topics.

He founded the nation’s first doctoral program in African-American studies at Temple in Philadelphia.